Donna-Jo Harkness

Published: May 08, 2019

Todd and Heather are saddened to announce the passing of their mom, Donna-Jo Harkness, age 72, on Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Amherst, NS. Born in South Portland, Maine, USA, Donna-Jo was the only child of the late Donald and Arlene (Bell) MacDonough. As a young girl, Donna-Jo was active in the Girl Scout organization winning many badges and awards. She loved nature and wildlife, especially being in and on the water. Donna-Jo was an accomplished water skier and swimmer. It was Donna-Jo swimming prowess that enabled her to exchange swimming lessons for tax preparation with singer songwriter, Billy Joel when she was living in New York during her flight school training. Donna-Jo attended South Portland High and then went on to graduate from Rickers College in Houlton, Maine. Donna-Jo attended flight school in New York and following her training was employed by Eastern Airlines. It was while Donna-Jo was at flight school that she obtained her private pilot’s license and thoroughly enjoyed flying the skies in a Cessna. It was while working with the Maine Department of Tourism that she met Doug Harkness, the love of her life, who was at the time employed with the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism. They were both attending a tourism conference concerning the Yarmouth Bar Harbour ferry crossing. It was later while on the Oak Island Tours bus that Donna-Jo and Doug shared a ride and fell in love and sealed the deal in Maine when they married in 1972. Donna-Jo and Doug moved to Nova Scotia in 1973 settling in Amherst in 1976 with their two children, Todd and Heather. Donna-Jo was a devoted stay at home mom and loved nothing more than spending time with her children. Donna-Jo is lovingly remembered by her son, Todd Harkness, of Amherst, NS; Heather Jo-Anne (Craig) Pastrana and their children, Sophia, Olivia and Seanna of Maui, Hawaii, USA; brothers-in-law, Robert Harkness and family, in Ottawa and Monseigneur Eugene Harkness, Cambridge, England; many extended family members and friends in Maine; as well numerous friends locally she has helped over the years. Donna-Jo was predeceased by her much-loved husband, Douglas Earl Harkness, in 2011. Cremation has taken place and there will be a celebration of Donna-Jo’s life on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 from 6 - 8 p.m. held in Campbell Funeral Home, 98 Church Street, Amherst, 902 667 9906. Donations may be made in Donna-Jos memory to the Bridge Workshop in Amherst, NS. Condolences and sharing of memories may be shared with the family at www.campbellsamhest.ca or by visiting Campbell Facebook page.